Conference Extra - plaintext Autumn Conference 16-19 September 2017 Bournemouth This plain text version of Conference Extra contains the text of the published Conference Extra. Page numbers refer to the Clear print Conference Extra, motion line numbers have been omitted, some elements may appear in a different place in the document and graphics and complex page layouts have been omitted. Updates to the Agenda and Directory, information from the Conference Committee, amendments, emergency motions and questions to reports. Please read in conjunction with the Agenda and Directory. Please keep hold of your copy of Conference Extra throughout conference, and make sure you pick up a copy of Conference Daily from the literature collection points in the Bournemouth International Centre each morning - it will be vital to your understanding of the dayÕs business. Conference Extra and other conference publications, in PDF and plain text formats, are available online www.libdems.org.uk/conference_papers or ask at the Information Desk in the Bournemouth International Centre. Contents Directory extra: Conference information update 5 Exhibition update 6 Fringe and training update 9 Agenda extra: Saturday 16 September 15 Sunday 17 September 22 Monday 18 September 29 Tuesday 19 September 31 Emergency motions ballot 33 OPEN, TOLERANT AND UNITED Published by the Policy Unit, Liberal Democrats, 8-10 George Street, London, SW1P 3AE. The Federal Board Baroness Sal Brinton, Chair, Party President; Neil Fawcett, Vice Chair; Vince Cable MP, Party Leader; Liz Leffman, Chair of the English Party; Sheila Thomson, Scottish Party Convenor; Carole O'Toole, Chair of the NEC; Alistair Carmichael MP, MP Rep; Lord Strasburger, Peer Rep; Catherine Bearder MEP, MEP Rep; Chris White, Principal Local Authority Councillor; Antony Hook, English Party Rep; Dan Farthing-Sykes, Scottish Party Rep; Jane Dodds, Welsh Party Rep; Andrew Wiseman, FCC Chair; Jeremy Hargreaves, FPC Vice-Chair; Robert Woodthorpe Browne, FIRC Chair; James Gurling, FCEC Chair; Peter Dunphy, FFRC Chair; Miranda Roberts, FPDC Chair; Rosalyn Gordon, FASC Chair; Charlie Kingsbury, Young Liberals Chair; Elaine Bagshaw; Dinesh Dhamija; Helen Flynn; Nassar Kessell; Caron Lindsay; Gordon Lishman; Victoria Marsom; Joyce Onstad; Mark Pack; Pauline Pearce; Candy Piercy; Alice Thomas; Gerald Vernon-Jackson. Non-Voting: Anood Al-Samerai, LGA Rep; Alistair Carmichael MP, Chief Whip (Commons); Mike German, Federal Treasurer; Nick Harvey, Federal Chief Executive; Al Ghaff, Staff Rep. Federal Board helpdesk The Federal Board helpdesk is situated on the ground floor of the BIC near the Information Desk. Members of the Federal Board will be available at the following times: Saturday 16 Sept 14.00-16.00 Sunday 17 Sept. 10.30-12.30 and 14.00-16.00 Monday 18 Sept. 10.30-12.30 and 14.00-16.00 Tuesday 19 Sept. 10.30-12.30 The Federal Conference Committee Andrew Wiseman, Chair; Zoe O'Connell, Vice Chair; Geoff Payne, Vice Chair; Baroness Sal Brinton; Robert Adamson; Victor Chamberlain; Nicholas Da Costa; James Gurling; Alaxander Hegenbarth; James Holt; Cara Jenkinson; Susan Juned; Jenni Lang; Liz Lynne; Chris Maines; Mary Reid; Jennie Rigg; Paul Tilsley; Heidi Worth; Mike Ross, Chief Steward, co-opted. Non-Voting: Nick Harvey, Federal Chief Executive. FCC helpdesk Members of the FCC will be available to give advice at the Information Desk at the following times: Saturday 16 Sept. 13.00-15.00 Sunday 17 Sept. 10.30-12.30 Monday 18 Sept. 10.30-12.30 Tuesday 19 Sept. 10.30-12.30 The Federal Policy Committee Vince Cable MP, Chair; Duncan Brack, Vice Chair; Jeremy Hargreaves, Vice Chair; Sarah Ludford, Vice Chair; Belinda Brooks-Gordon; Catherine Bearder MEP; Baroness Sal Brinton; Sally Burnell; Christine Cheng; Richard Cole; Tony Greaves; Antony Hook; Kamran Hussein; Qurban Hussein ; Elizabeth Jewkes; Susan Juned; Heather Kidd; Norman Lamb MP; Alisdair McGregor; Jonny Oates; Geoff Payne; Peter Price; Catherine Royce; Paul Tilsley; David Weston; Chris White; Jim Williams. Non-Voting: Richard Kemp, LGA Rep; Andrew Wiseman, FCC Chair; Ciaran Morrissey; Marisha Ray, EMLD Observer. Information update Standing orders Standing orders for federal conference have been produced as a separate document. This can be downloaded from: www.libdems.org.uk/autumn_conference_17 Or printed standing orders will also be available from the Information Desk in the BIC. Spokespeople Q&A sessions There will be a series of Q&A sessions during conference, where you can ask questions of our Spokespeople on the issues relating to their responsibilities. All sessions will take place in the BIC in the rooms indicated. Sessions, apart from Party Affairs, are open to all, but Party members will be given priority. Saturday 16, 15.00Ð16.00, Bayview Suite 2: Devolved Regions with Alistair Carmichael & Jamie Stone. Saturday 16, 16.30Ð17.30, Bayview Suite 2: Local Government with Wera Hobhouse, Kath Pinnock & John Shipley. Sunday 17, 11.00Ð12.00, Meyrick Suite: Education with Layla Moran & Mike Storey. Sunday 17, 15.00Ð16.00, Meyrick Suite: Transport and Environment with Jenny Randerson & Kate Parminter. Monday 18, 15.00Ð16.00, Bayview Suite 1: Home Affairs with Ed Davey, Brian Paddick & Jonathan Marks. Monday 18, 15.00Ð16.00, Meyrick Suite: Party Affairs with Nick Harvey, Federal Chief Executive, & Baroness Brinton, Party President. Members are invited to ask questions on internal party matters (party members only). Monday 18, 16.30Ð17.30, Meyrick Suite: Health with Norman Lamb, Joan Walmsley, Judith Jolly & Liz Barker (tbc). Exhibition update The published Conference Extra contains a revised plan of the exhibition that is available as a separate document at: www.libdems.org.uk/conference_papers Exhibitors listed by stand number 1 Social Liberal Forum 2 Liberty 3 National Pharmacy Association 4 Her Majesty's Government of Gibraltar 5 Prospect Magazine 6 National Education Union 8 ALDE Party 11 Lib Dem Disability Association 12 Your Liberal Britain 13 Liberal Democrat History Group 14 Transport for the North 15 Liberal Democrat Christmas Draw 16 Humanist & Secularist Liberal Democrats 17 LGBT+ Liberal Democrats 18 Liberal Democrat Christian Forum 19 Rights-Liberties-Justice (LDLA) 20 Liberal Democrats in Business 21 Liberal Democrat Women 22 ALDC - Liberal Democrat Campaigners & Councillors 23 LGA Liberal Democrats 24 Carryon Clothing 25 Berber Leather 26 Guide Dogs 27 Association of Liberal Democrat Trade Unionists 28 Association of Liberal Democrat Engineers and Scientists 29 Liberal Democrat Friends of Palestine 30 Green Liberal Democrats 31 Liberal Democrat Education Association 32 English Party 33 ALTER 34 Liberator 35 Liberal International (British Group), Liberal Democrat European Group and National Liberal Club 36 Liberal Democrats for Seekers of Sanctuary 37 Liberal Democrat Friends of Israel 38 Liberal Reform 39 Young Liberals 40 Guide Dogs - dog display area CZ1 Prater Raines CZ2 Parliamentary Candidates Association CZ3 Liberal Democrats for Electoral Reform CZ4 Print & Digital Associates Ltd 'The Tabloid Newspaper Specialists' CZ5 Park Communications CZ6 Ask an Expert CZ7 E.A.R.S. Campaign Software CZ8 Liberal Democrat Image CZ9 RISO UK Ltd / Midshire Business Systems CZ10 ONEPOST CZ11 Election Workshop L1 pop-up: Indie Books - Saturday 16, 12.50-14.10 only. Heathrow PODs and a future of sustainable aviation - Monday 18 only. Ground floor foyer: Business Events Bournemouth. Directory of exhibitors E.A.R.S. Campaign Software Better campaign software - easier, faster, cheaper NEW Android-iphone Canvassing Apps.Try NEW canvassing & polling day apps for phones & tablets. See our EASIER user interface, better targeting, safer & faster polling day tools, and why others are changing back to EARS. www.earsonline.co.uk CZ7 Guide Dogs Please note that the Guide Dogs stand is at stand 26, and the Dog Display Area is at stand 40. Indie Books Join Sir Robert Worcester - author of Explaining Cameron's Catastrophe - for a pop-up booking signing and author Q&A. (Cash only). L1 - pop-up Saturday 16 September 12.50-14.10 Liberal Democrat Friends of Israel The Liberal Democrat Friends of Israel exists to support and promote policies leading to peace and security for Israel in the context of a comprehensive lasting Middle East peace settlement. https://ldfi.org.uk/ 37 Fringe and training update Additions and amendments to listings in the fringe and training guide in the Directory. Fringe Saturday lunchtime 13.00-14.00 Real Press Fourth to First - how we won an election in six months First-time candidate Steffan Aquarone and his campaign manager Freya will share some top tips from the tried-and-tested to the hair-brained that together helped achieve a majority of more than 400. Join us to launch the book - all are welcome. BIC, Avon Room Federal Conference Committee First Timers' Q&A Session New to conference? Come and ask members of the Federal Conference Committee any questions that you may have about how conference, or the Party in general, works. Note: this event starts at 13.30 and ends at 14.30. BIC, Bayview Suite 2 POP: Public Opinion Platform (hosted by The Intercivil Society) How to enable the Progressive Alliance to work effectively against 'hard Brexit'? POP - www.poplatform.org - is an international initiative, an instrument of real-time democracy. POP can also help the Progressive Alliance to carry out its pro-EU mandate without asking its members to compromise on their political views on other policies. BIC, Westbourne Suite ALDES - Association of Liberal Democrat Engineers and Scientists AGM Meeting open to new and old members and those who want to find out more. www.aldes.org.uk Highcliff Marriott, Blandford Room Training Department Were you a candidate, campaigner, agent or otherwise involved in some way at the snap General Election? If so, we want to hear from you. Come along and give your feedback on how things went in your part of the country, give us your thoughts on what went well, what could have been done better and what we need to think about for future elections. Members only. Highcliff Marriott, Purbeck Suite Fringe Saturday mid evening 20.15-21.30 Please note that the Saturday mid evening fringe session runs from 20.15 to 21.30 (not 20.30 as shown in the printed Directory) Lib Dem Voice Adult education and training Skill shortages are having a detrimental effect on the UK's productivity and this needs to be addressed urgently in order to meet immediate economic and workforce challenges. Speakers are Sir Vince Cable (Party leader), Lord Fox (spokesman for Business and skills), Layla Moran MP (Education spokesperson) and Joanna Cain, Deputy CEO, Workers' Educational Association/Institutes for Adult Learning. Note: this event starts at 19.45. Highcliff Marriott, Purbeck Suite Fringe Sunday lunchtime 13.00-14.00 Conference Access Group Conference Access Forum This is your chance to help improve disability access at future conferences. Join in an informal discussion and tell us - what else can be done? BIC, Avon Room Federal Conference Committee How to write a Conference Motion If you have any questions on how to write a conference motion, come and ask Andrew Wiseman, Chair of the FCC. BIC, Tregonwell Hall Fringe Sunday mid evening 19.45-21.00 Liberal Democrat Friends of Israel Liberal Democrat Friends of Israel Celebrate and discuss the Liberal link in the relationship between Britain and Israel in the Centenary year of the Balfour Declaration. Highcliff Marriott, Yeovil Room Fringe Sunday late evening 21.30-23.00 London Lib Dems Communi-oke Show us your air guitar and exercise your lungs at our first ever Communioke. No worries about embarrassing show offs - everybody sings as the karaoke screens are turned for the audience to join in. £3 admission for Conference's best party night. Note change of time: this event starts at 22.30 and ends at 01.00. Highcliff Marriott, Dorchester Suite Fringe Monday morning 11.00-12.30 Academy of Medical Sciences, Royal Academy of Engineering, British Academy, Royal Society Delivering growth and prosperity for the UK: Doubling investment in research & innovation Layla Moran MP, Dame Helen Wallace and others discuss how we can deliver the Liberal Democrats' ambition to double investment in research & innovation. Chaired by Graeme Reid - Professor of Science and Research Policy at UCL. Highcliff Marriott, Blandford Room Another Europe is Possible Why Lib Dems must fight for freedom of movement Tory Brexit is a move towards harsher borders and a more closed society. How do we turn the tide and win a progressive immigration policy? Join the discussion with Tom Brake MP and speakers from inside and outside the party. Highcliff Marriott, Sherbourne Suite Fringe Monday morning 13.00-14.00 Radix How do we revitalise the centre of British politics? Join Jo Swinson, David Boyle and Joe Zammit-Lucia for a discussion about how a politics that avoids the extremes of right and left manages to make headway in Brexit Britain. BIC, Bayview Suite 1 Fringe Monday early evening 18.15-19.15 Your Liberal Britain The Road to Liberal Britain Now that 7,000 of you have created your vision for Liberal Britain, come and share your ideas for how to make it a reality. Jim Williams and Party President Sal Brinton invite you to take up the challenge. BIC, Avon Room Dimensions Doing Social Care Differently A panel discussion looking at the future of social care for working aged disabled people. Norman Lamb, Health Spokesperson, Liberal Democrats; Gary Bourlet, Co-founder, Learning Disability England; Steve Scown, Chair, VODG; Liz Wilson, Family Consultant, Dimensions. Chaired by Paul Burstow. BIC, Westbourne Suite The Smith Institute and Prospect Tomorrow's world: are our science and innovation plans fit for purpose? Join our discussion with: Lord Fox (Lords Spokesperson, Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy); Sue Ferns (Deputy General Secretary, Prospect); Dr Sarah Main (Executive Director, Campaign for Science and Engineering); and Hannah Devlin (Science Correspondent, Guardian) TBC. Highcliff Marriott, Shaftesbury Suite Kids Count Youth crime - time for more action and less talk; protecting our young people and reducing violence on our streets? Speakers Include: Cllr John Leech (Former MP for Manchester Withington), Lord Tom McNally, Jerome & Renell (Kids Count Youth Ambassadors), Jennifer Blake BA (Hons) (Youth crime consultant & Kids Count crime group member), Cllr Lisa Smart (Deputy Leader of Stockport Council). Highcliff Marriott, Yeovil Suite Fringe Monday mid evening 19.45-21.00 Lib Dem Friends of Whisky Whisky Tasting An Opportunity to taste, discuss and learn a bit about malt whisky in a relaxed and friendly environment. Hosted by Alistair Carmichael MP. Tickets £30. Numbers limited. Apply to libdemfow@gmail.com. Proceeds support campaigning in Orkney and Shetland. Note: this event starts at 20.00 and ends at 21.30. BIC, Meyrick Suite Action for Land Tax and Economic Reform (ALTER) Progressive alliance for Land Value Tax solution to housing crisis Cross-party debate on the manifesto offerings of the Liberal Democrats, Labour, Greens and NI Alliance party. Help us answer the question - Is a progressive alliance with respect a Land Value Taxation solution to the housing crisis the way forward? Highcliff Marriott, Blandford Syndicate 3 London Lib Dems London Liberal Democrats Drinks Reception A chance for London Region to thank members and volunteers, and an opportunity for London activists to get together and celebrate our General Election successes. Highcliff Marriott Bryanston Suite Fringe Tuesday lunchtime 13.00-14.00 LD Women Liberal Democrat Women AGM. Please join us as we review the past year and make plans for the future. Members only. Highcliff Marriott, Blandford Room MEND: Muslim Engagement and Development Counter-terrorism, Civil Liberties and Muslim Communities An exploration of the boundaries between security and freedom, and the impact of current counter-terrorism strategies on Muslim communities. The event will consist of short speaker presentations from individuals such as Baroness Shas Sheehan, followed by a Q&A session. Highcliff Marriott, Shaftesbury Suite Saturday 16 September F2 Federal Conference Committee Report Q1. Submitted by: Tom Stubbs Why are staff who work for local parties and are members being denied the right to vote when coming to conference? Q2. Submitted by: Christopher Hudson What action is taken by the Conference Committee to make sure that all policy decisions made by Federal Conference are followed through and action taken by the relevant parts of the party, and in particular what action has been taken to deliver the policy in Motion F17 on Associate Citizenship of the EU which was agreed at March Conference at York earlier this year? F4 Learning to Communicate in English The Federal Conference Committee has agreed to make the following drafting amendments to the motion: In 6. (line 36), after 'colleges' insert ', the voluntary and community enterprise sector'. After 6. (line 37), add: 7. Provide adequate funding to Local Authorities to implement the above. Amendment One 38 members Mover: Layla Moran MP Summation: Cllr Lucy Nethsingha After iv) (line 12), insert: v) There is no statutory obligation to support refugees with low levels or no English with free ESOL provision if they are in work, or asylum seekers until they have been in the UK for 6 months, which in turn impedes their ability to independently navigate systems, seek support and integrate. Delete a) (lines 14-17), and insert: a) The ability to speak and understand English is important for those living in England as it enables them to engage with their individual freedoms and participate and contribute fully to British society. b) The Government and devolved administrations must have a crucial role in funding ESOL provision. After 3. (line 29), insert: 4. Require all state-funded schools (including free schools and academies) to work closely with LAs in developing the Language Needs Assessment. 5. Require all schools to work closely with LAs in understanding the target groups within their school community, and assist LAs in assisting those groups to access ESOL classes. 6. Provide asylum seekers and refugees with low levels of English a minimum of 6months free ESOL provision from as soon as they have applied for asylum or, have been granted asylum but are in work, so they can reach a functioning command of English to access the support they need. F6 The Paris Agreement and UK Climate Change Policy The Federal Conference Committee has agreed to make the following drafting amendment to the motion: In 2. (line 45), after 'buildings and industry,' insert 'including through better insulation,'. F8 The Impact of Brexit on Public Services The Federal Conference Committee has agreed to make the following drafting amendments to the motion: In A. (line 4), after 'Single Market' insert 'and European Customs Union'. In c) (line 45): after 'public sector' insert 'and risk eroding the employment rights of those working in the public and private sectors, not least those of women, young workers and currently protected minority groups'. In 2. (line 57), after 'Single Market' insert 'and European Customs Union'. After 4. (line 66), add: 5. The Government to publish the research into the impact of Brexit it has carried out across 50 sectors of the economy. Amendment One ALDC Mover: to be announced Summation: to be announced After G. (line 23), insert: H. That Local Government has a formal advisory role in the EU law and policy-making process through its membership of the EU Committee of the Regions (CoR), and that currently no alternative formal mechanism exists post-Brexit for a similar arrangement with the UK government. I. That according to the Local Government Association there will be a structural investment funding gap of £8.4 billion across the UK unless a replacement scheme is implemented. After 4. (line 66), add: 5. Replacement of the formal advisory role for local government currently established in the EU Committee of the Regions to help continue local government's role in law-making in the UK and leaving no deficiency in local government powers. 6. Decisions over future structural investment funding to be taken at as local a level as possible, rather than always made in Whitehall. F10 Natural Environment Policy The Federal Conference Committee has agreed to make the following drafting amendment to the motion: In A. (line 3), after 'air quality' insert ', soil quality'. Amendment One Greater Reading Mover: John Grout Summation: Ricky Duveen After b) (line 49), insert: c) Humane treatment of farm livestock (as per the European Convention for the Protecton of Animals kept for Farming Purposes) and consideration for endangered species (as per CITES). F11 Federal Board Report Q1. Submitted by: Kevin Daws Can the Federal Board please tell conference the amount of resource that was expended on getting BaME candidates elected as a proportion of the total, as compared with the proportion of BaME individuals in the population as whole? Can the Federal Board also inform conference how many BaME candidates were selected in the top 50 most winnable key seats and how many reached the final short list in each of those constituencies? As a matter of interest can we be told how many of the individual members of Federal Board were campaigning for the election of a visible BaME candidate? Q2. Submitted by: Simon McGrath What progress has been made in resolving the anomaly that only the English Party pays the Federal levy? Q3. Submitted by: Tony Vickers What is being done to prepare for the coming into force next year of the EU General Data Protection Regulations, which (our Data Officer advises me) will render most of our modern campaigning and communication techniques illegal? F12 Campaign for Gender Balance Report Q1. Submitted by: Daniele Gibney How can local party Diversity Officers work with and support the Campaign for Gender Balance? F13 Membership Subscription The Federal Conference Committee has agreed to make the following drafting amendments to the motion: In a) (line 3), delete 'Liberal Youth' and insert 'Young Liberals'. In 4. (line 18), delete 'Liberal Youth' and insert 'the Young Liberals'. Sunday 17 September F15 Report of the Parliamentary Parties Q1. Submitted by: Christopher Hudson Can Conference have a commitment that our parliamentary parties will always follow up motions passed at Federal Conference and seek to deliver the policy changes or initiatives agreed as party policy by Conference, and in particular what action has been taken and will be taken to make sure that the policy in Motion F17 on Associate Citizenship of the EU agreed at York 2017 Federal Conference is agreed between the UK and the EU before March 2019? Q2 Submitted by: Keran Kerai How will we help women get into boardrooms when there are big issues with them needing to take time out of work more often? Could we create flexible work times by having them start later with childcare provided by employers or is it harder to create a good balance between work and private life? F16 Armed Forces Personnel: Recruitment, Retention and Welfare Amendment One Beaconsfield and Young Liberals Mover: Thomas Hughes Summation: Abbie Llewelyn After h) (line 49), insert: i) A review into mental health exclusions in the Armed Forces' medical criteria for recruitment. F17A Opposing Brexit 20+ members Mover: Stephen Crosher Summation: Ryan Mercer Conference notes that: I. On the 23rd June 2016, the United Kingdom voted via a referendum by a margin of 52-48 to begin the process of leaving the European Union. II. The Liberal Democrats campaigned to remain in the European Union. III. The lack of a clear plan for Brexit from the Leave side meant that there was no clear agreement on what final destination was being voted on. Conference believes that: i) The United Kingdom is safer and more prosperous as a member of the European Union as it: a) Facilitates essential cooperation on international challenges including climate change and terrorism. b) Supports the UK economy by facilitating movement of people and cross border trade under a common framework of regulation. c) Enables greater collaboration on research and exchange of ideas. d) Enriches the UK culturally through collaboration and cultural exchange. e) Enhances and protects the rights of UK citizens both within the UK and abroad. f) Strengthens the UK's position on the world stage, for example in negotiations over trade. ii) To leave the European Union is detrimental to the UK's fundamental national interests. iii) Continued membership of the European Union would better serve the UK's national interest than any alternative arrangements that could be negotiated through the Article 50 process. Conference further notes with concern the following developments which have occurred subsequent to the June 2016 referendum: A. The significant fall in the value of the pound and resulting raising inflation, leading to a further squeeze on living standards. B. The Governor of the Bank of England's appraisal of the cost of Brexit and the resulting black hole this will create in the public finances. C. Reports that a range of businesses, including one third of manufacturing firms, are moving or are considering moving some of their operations out of the UK. D. Reports that UK based researchers are being hindered from participating in EU-funded research projects in anticipation of Brexit and UK research institutions being unable to play leading roles in multinational research projects. E. That the number of nurses from the EU registering with the Nursing and Midwifery Council fell by 96% between June 2016 and April 2017. F. That as of February 2017, the number of EU students applying to UK universities had fallen by 7% since June 2016. G. The rise in hate crimes following the referendum, with the number recorded between July and September 2016 increasing to 14,295 from 10,793 during the same period in 2015. Conference condemns the shambolic and deeply divided approach of the Conservative Government to the negotiations, and the Labour Party's support for leaving the Single Market and the Customs Union. Conference calls for: 1. The Government to seek to reverse the triggering of Article 50 of the Lisbon treaty at the earliest opportunity and for the UK to retain its current status as a member of the European Union. 2. The Liberal Democrats to continue to campaign for Britain to remain a member of the European Union. 3. The Liberal Democrats to commit to seeking to reverse the triggering of Article 50 in the event of a Liberal Democrat-led Government being formed prior to the UK leaving the European Union and to construe their election as a democratic mandate for doing so. Applicability: Federal. This motion, which was submitted but not selected for debate by the Federal Conference Committee, will be the subject of the suspension of standing orders procedure under Standing Order 11.6. If the vote to suspend standing orders is successful, the motion will debated as Agenda Item F17 in place of the Europe consultation session on Sunday 17 September 10.45-12.30. Mover: 7 minutes; summation of motion and movers and summation of any amendments: 4 minutes; all other speakers: 3 minutes. For eligibility and procedure for speaking in this debate, see page 4 of the Agenda. In addition to speeches from the platform, voting members will be able to make concise (maximum one-minute) interventions from the floor during the debate on the motion. See page 4 of the Agenda for further information. The deadline for requests for separate votes is 09.00 Saturday 16th September; see page 3 of the Agenda. The Federal Conference Committee has agreed to make the following drafting amendment to the motion: After f) (line 16), insert: g) Secures the unique relationship between Ireland and the United Kingdom including free movement of people and goods across the Irish border. Amendment One Federal Policy Committee Mover: to be announced Summation: to be announced After line 39, insert: Conference further condemns the Leave campaign for making so many claims which have since been proven false and/or undeliverable. Delete 1., 2. and 3. (lines 41-48) and insert: 1. The Government to admit that the Brexit deal will not deliver the promises of the Leave campaign. 2. An 'exit from Brexit' referendum (in which 16- and 17-year olds, EU Citizens resident in the UK, and British Citizens resident overseas will be able to vote) to be held once the outcome of the UK-EU negotiations is known, for the public to choose between 'the deal' or Britain remaining a full member of the EU. 3. As leading champions of Britain's membership of the EU, the Liberal Democrats to continue to campaign for Britain to remain a full and active member of the European Union. F21 Safe Building Standards for all Homes The Federal Conference Committee has agreed to make the following drafting amendments to the motion: In B. (line 9), delete 'Britain' and insert 'the UK'. In 7. b) (line 44), after 'renovation' insert ', and take any necessary enforcement action'. Amendment One Wokingham Mover: to be announced Summation: Prue Bray In 3. (lines 29-30), delete 'by the Fire Service' and insert 'by persons on a professional register who meet the competency criteria established by the Fire Risk Assessment Competency Council'. Amendment Two Southwark Mover: Caroline Pidgeon AM Summation: to be announced After 3. (line 32), insert: 4. Central government to now comply with the recommendations of the Coroner who investigated the Lakanal tower block fire in 2013, and provide clearer guidance on the extent to which fire safety regulations apply to residential blocks. Monday 18 September F26 Employment in the 21st Century The Federal Conference Committee has agreed to make the following drafting amendment to the motion: In vii) (line 23), after 'status' insert 'and that the Supreme Court has recently ruled them to be illegal'. Amendment One Young Liberals Mover: Scott Emery Summation: Henry Jones After 8. (line 72), insert: 9. Hours that are not guaranteed as part of a contract to have a higher minimum wage rate, in order to incentivise employers to offer fixed hours when possible, with the size of the wage rate increase to be determined by the Low Pay Commission, as suggested in the Taylor Review. F28 Encourage Companies to be Responsible Corporate Citizens The Federal Conference Committee has agreed to make the following drafting amendment to the motion: In 2. (line 35), after 'promote' insert 'legislation to secure', and delete 'including' and insert 'which may include'. Amendment One 11 members Mover: Simon McGrath Summation: Joe Otten Delete 2. (lines 35-38) and insert: 2. Require all UK listed companies and all private companies with more than 200 employees to have at least 1 employee representative on their Boards with the same legal duties and responsibilities as other directors. Tuesday 19 September F34 Gun and Knife Crime The Federal Conference Committee has agreed to make the following drafting amendment to the motion: Delete 1. (line 29-31) and insert: 1. Police, education providers, and public, private, community, faith and other organisations to consider how they can work more closely together and with other individuals and groups, particularly to engage with 16-25 year olds. Amendment One Fareham Liberal Democrats Mover: Kathleen Trott Summation: Kathleen Trott In a) (line 15), delete 'knife and gun crime' and insert 'knife, gun and acid attacks'. In b) (line 17), delete 'Gun and knife crime' and insert 'Gun, knife and acid attacks'. In c) (line 19), delete 'gun and knife crime' and insert 'gun, knife and acid attacks'. After 5. (line 42), add: 6. Introduce measures to ban the sale of corrosive liquids to children. Emergency motions ballot Three of the following motions will be selected by ballot, one to be debated as F23 at 09.00 on Monday 18 September and two as F31A and F31B at 09.40 on Tuesday 19 September. Ballot papers will be printed with Saturday's Conference Daily and the ballot box will be open in the Auditorium between 09.00 and 12.50 on Saturday 16 September. Emergency Motion 5: Mental Health Reform Act was submitted as a motion to the June 28 deadline and was rejected at that stage by the Conference Committee; however following a successful appeal it is now included in this ballot along with the other emergency motions. Emergency motion 1: Deterioration of Human Rights in Venezuela 11 members Conference notes the deteriorating political, social and economic situation in Venezuela, and the concerns raised in a report published by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on 30 August 2017. In particular, conference condemns: i) The erosion of democratic institutions via the accumulation of power by the executive branch of the government. ii) The undermining of human rights guarantees which have enabled the government to intimidate, punish and censor critics, journalists, judges and political opponents. iii) The arbitrary detention and alleged torture of protesters. iv) Inadequate government responses to severe shortages of medicines, medical supplies, and food. Conference believes: a) The UK has a responsibility to champion the rule of law, human rights and democracy across the world. b) The politicisation of the situation in Venezuela by US President Donald Trump has the potential to cause further harm to the people of Venezuela, and undermine efforts to strengthen democracy and the rule of law. Conference calls on the UK government to: 1. Immediately suspend the sale of all military and security equipment and arms to Venezuela. 2. Look into the viability and efficacy of sanctions against Venezuelan government officials, in order to target those who are benefitting the most from the erosion of the democratic state. 3. Provide further funding for programmes to strengthen democratic institutions, ensure free and fair elections, and protect human rights protestors and journalists. Applicability: Federal. Emergency motion 2: Implementation of Universal Credit Ten members Conference notes that Liberal Democrats support the principles behind Universal Credit, namely its aims of simplifying the social security system, improving work incentives, increasing take-up, tackling poverty and reducing fraud and error. Conference however further notes the criticisms made of the detailed design and implementation of Universal Credit under the Conservatives as set out in policy paper 124 Mending the Safety Net (2016) and the General Election Manifesto Change Britain's Future (2017). Conference notes with deep concern the new Citizens Advice report Delivering on Universal Credit published on 6 July 2017 which shows that the requirement to wait six weeks for first payment is causing people serious financial difficulties, while highlighting a range of other administrative problems, and similar findings by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation. In particular, conference regrets findings that: i) Over a third (39%) of people are waiting more than the 6 weeks it should take to receive their first payment. ii) In some pilot areas, the average waiting time is as high as 12 weeks. iii) Just over 1 in 10 (11%) are waiting over 10 weeks without the benefit. iv) 3 in 5 (57%) are having to borrow money while waiting for their first payment. Conference therefore calls for the Government to pause the planned accelerated roll-out of Universal Credit until problems with implementation can be addressed through the following measures: a) Removing the 7 waiting days at the start of a claim, to reduce the amount of time people have to wait for their first payment. b) Monitoring the impact of payment one month in arrears, and changing it if this results in rising debt and destitution. c) Making sure everyone moving to Universal Credit is told they can get an Advance Payment to help them while they wait for their first payment. d) Introducing an online system so people can book their initial Jobcentre appointments online rather than having to call the Universal Credit helpline. e) Making the Universal Credit helpline free of charge, at least until the roll-out is complete. f) Allowing people to adjust to Universal Credit by offering everyone options in how they would like the benefit to be paid. g) Putting in place a comprehensive support package before Universal Credit roll-out accelerates, to make sure people get advice to manage their money and deal with any complications in the application process. Conference reiterates its support for more substantial reform of UC including: 1. Reversing the Government's cuts to the amount claimants can earn (the 'work allowance') before their benefits are reduced. 2. Introducing a second work allowance, allowing both members of a couple to work without losing their benefits. 3. Restoring the first child premium for new claimants. 4. Abandoning the restriction of benefits to just two children. 5. Ending the freeze on working-age benefits. Applicability: Federal. Emergency motion 3: International Students Cambridge City and South Cambridgeshire Conference welcomes the recent announcement by the Home Office of the first results of the newly installed exact border checks. Conference notes that: i) The number of international students overstaying, after their studies were complete, was 4,600 in this first year. ii) This number is far smaller than the estimate of 100,000 previously used by the Home Office. iii) The estimate of 100,000 was the justification for imposing higher levels of visa and other restrictions on students. Conference further notes that: a) International students bring economic benefits to colleges, universities and the wider economy. b) Higher education is one of the most successful export industries this country has. c) Educating the future leaders of the rest of the world is a very effective exercise of 'soft power'. d) Universal co-operation in academic learning and research is a mark of civilisation and is to the benefit of the whole world. Conference therefore: 1. Calls on the Government to remove international students from the migration figures immediately. 2. Welcomes the Home Secretary's announcement of a review of international students and presses that visa restrictions and other impediments should be part of that review. 3. Calls on the media to recognise the facts and portray international students in a more positive light, as an asset rather than a threat. 4. Calls on the Government to ensure that international students are treated as the positive benefit to the country that they are, and not a problem to be solved. Applicability: Federal. Emergency motion 4: Leasehold Scandal Eddisbury and Weaver Vale Conference welcomes Government proposals (announced in late July, with an eight-week consultation period) to outlaw leasehold property sales which allow freeholders to: a) Charge excessively escalating ground rents, and/or b) Demand unreasonably large sums for the subsequent purchase of the freehold. Conference is nevertheless very disappointed that this consultation may not help the millions of households already trapped in unfair leaseholds and who are or will be struggling to sell their homes, and demands that the Government also take urgent action to help these people who are always described as homeowners but under the eyes of the law are long-term tenants. Conference calls on the Government to move to adopt the systems now used in Northern Ireland, Scotland and countries around the world with a system establishing a fixed formula for: 1. The freehold purchase of a house or block of flats; 2. Maximum levels for increases in ground rent and a cost for their removal; and then using these bases to replace unfair terms in sales contracts that have already been completed. Conference welcomes the fact the government has finally moved Commonhold from the Justice Department to the Housing Department and hopes that this legislation will be reviewed so as to provide a far better alternative to our feudal leasehold system. Applicability: England and Wales. Emergency motion 5: Mental Health Reform Act Beaconsfield and Wycombe Conference notes that: i) In May 2017, the Prime Minister described the 1983 Mental Health Act as 'outdated', Ôdiscriminatory' and 'unfit for purpose', and promised to repeal it and replace it with new legislation; and in June 2017, the Queen's Speech promised to 'reform mental health legislation'. ii) Current UK law treats physical and mental health differently: physical health patients cannot be forcibly treated unless they lack capacity to make that decision, and they can make 'advance decisions' to refuse treatment, as defined in the 2005 Mental Capacity Act; however, under the Mental Health Act, mental health patients do not have these rights - they can be forcibly detained and treated even if they have capacity to make that decision for themselves, and even if they've made an advance decision to refuse treatment. iii) If a person has a 'mental disorder' (which includes Asperger's Syndrome and learning disabilities), they can be forcibly detained and treated, but people without one can't be, even under the exact same circumstances; In some cases, having a childhood diagnosis of Asperger's has allowed people to be forcibly detained for months, while they could not have been detained at all without this diagnosis. iv) Mind, a mental health charity, has argued that detaining people based on disability is discriminatory, and in breach of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities; it has called for replacing the 'mental disorder' test with a 'mental capacity' test, as defined in the Mental Capacity Act, so that mental health and physical health are treated equally, and people with disabilities or 'mental disorders' are not discriminated against. Conference believes that: a) Everyone has the right to control their own life: a person should never be forced to receive treatment, unless they do not have capacity to make that decision. b) Detaining people on the basis of disability or 'mental disorder', rather than capacity, is discriminatory, contributes to stigma and discourages people from being open about their mental health. Conference calls on the Government to reform the Mental Health Act to ensure that: 1. The 'mental disorder' test for involuntary detention and treatment is replaced with a 'mental capacity' test, so that a person cannot be involuntarily detained or treated unless they lack capacity, as defined in the Mental Capacity Act. 2. Advance decisions, as defined in the Mental Capacity Act, can be applied to mental health conditions, including an advance decision to refuse detention and/or treatment. Conference reiterates its call for the Government to ensure that mental health services are fully funded, so that people can be given care without unnecessarily having to be detained. Applicability: England and Wales. Emergency motion 6: Opposing UK participation in Trump's re-escalation of the war in Afghanistan 14 members Conference notes: i) The current brutal war in Afghanistan, which has involved UK forces since it began, has been underway for almost 16 years. ii) The US Department of Defence released data on 30th August 2017 showing that there are currently 11,000 US troops in the country, aided by 600 UK Armed Forces personnel. iii) According to UN estimates, 2m people have been displaced since the US/UK-led invasion in 2001, and more than 26,000 civilians have died, as a result of the war. More than 450 UK force personnel have died, and 7300 injured. iv) The continuing peace talks between the Taliban and other parties, and the Afghan government, in Qatar, and the preparatory peace negotiations between the Taliban and Afghan senior intelligence officials, have made little formal progress due in part to weak support from international participants such as the UK and US. v) Reversing his prior stated policy, President Trump announced a new Afghanistan strategy on 20th August 2017, vowing to 'fight to win' the war by committing more US troops, 4000 initially, calling on NATO allies such as Britain to increase troop numbers in parallel; a strategy 'welcomed' by the UK Secretary of State for Defence, with more UK military personnel to be sent, confirmed by officials. vi) After 16 years of fighting, the Taliban and other insurgent and non-government forces now control a majority of the land area of country, as well as having bases across the unformalised border with Pakistan; thus the US-led escalation is very unlikely to have any positive effect on the peace process. vii) Major Chinese investments in Afghanistan, including copper mining and the announcement that China will build a road from China and Northern Afghanistan to Gwadar port in Pakistan, demonstrate that China is fast becoming the main geopolitical beneficiary of the war. Conference believes: a) This war cannot be won by military means, that a stalemate has been reached, and that the focus should now be on a peace agreement beneficial to the wider Afghan population. b) The absence of an agreed Afghanistan-Pakistan border and existence of the lawless FATA in Pakistan across the border contribute to the perpetuation of the conflict. c) The recent history does not justify the continued invocation of NATO Article 5 in relation to the new US re-escalation, and the UK should not accept new Article 5 obligations in Afghanistan in this context. Conference calls on the British government: 1. Not to participate in the US-led re-escalation of the war, and instead to apply more focus on the peace negotiations and bringing the conflict finally to an end. 2. To focus on key necessary prerequisites for peace; including pressuring Pakistan and Afghanistan to ensure there is a border agreement and an enforced border, and pressuring the Pakistani Government to bring the Federally Administered Tribal Areas fully within the Pakistani constitution and thus establish the rule of law, as a necessary step towards closing Afghan insurgency bases. Applicability: Federal. Emergency motion 7: Recruitment and Retention of Teachers Ten members Conference notes: i) Deeply concerning figures published by UCAS which indicate that the number of graduates beginning teacher training courses has fallen 10 per cent this year, compared to 2016. ii) That these figures indicate that recruitment for subjects including maths, physics, biology, computing, chemistry and English will fail to meet government targets. iii) That this is part of longer term trends which show that teacher shortages across the country are growing and that almost a third of teachers leave the profession within five years of qualifying. iv) That under the Government's current plans for public sector pay, teachers will see a real-terms pay cut of around £3,000 between 2015-16 and 2020-21. v) Worrying reports about levels of teacher stress, which have found that 60 per cent of the teaching workforce say their job has impacted on their mental health, with one in ten taking anti-depressants. Conference believes: a) Teachers have been placed under inordinate and unsustainable pressure in recent years due to a combination of changes to the curriculum and assessment processes; and crippling school budget cuts. b) That it was wrong for the Government to retain the 1pc cap on teacher's pay rises in 2017-18 and that this has contributed to a growing feeling among teachers that they are being undervalued. c) That if teachers are not made to feel that they are respected and valued for the work they do, then recruitment efforts will continue to suffer, and increasingly those in the profession will be forced out, leaving our schools worse off and reducing educational opportunities for young people. Conference calls for: 1. Government to commission an urgent review to identify the factors leading to problems with teacher recruitment and retention rates. 2. The Government to reverse the decision to retain a 1pc cap on teacher pay rises, and for all teachers in state schools to be offered pay rises in line with inflation. 3. The Government to work with Ofsted to reform school inspection processes, ensuring they take account of teachers' workload and staff retention and recruitment rates, so that school leadership is incentivised to prioritise the wellbeing of their staff. 4. Liberal Democrats to continue to campaign in Parliament for a reversal of cuts to front-line school and college budgets, protecting per-pupil funding in real terms. 5. The introduction of a clear and properly funded entitlement to continued professional development for all teachers, to ensure people see opportunities to progress in their careers. 6. Liberal Democrats to continue to campaign for a new Royal College of Teachers to oversee the delivery of continued professional development as well as Qualified Teacher Status. 7. The Government to reassess how it carries out long-term planning of teacher training places, working in close partnerships with higher education and specialist routes such as Teach First in ensure the recruitment of high quality teachers in shortage areas such as science, technology, engineering, the arts and maths. Applicability: England only. Emergency motion 8: UK Government treatment of disabled people 29 members Conference notes that in August 2017 the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN CRPD) Committee found that the UK Government's cuts to social security and other support for deaf and disabled people had caused 'a human catastrophe' which was 'totally neglecting the vulnerable situation that people with disabilities find themselves in' and, taken with the UK Government's refusal to either recognise or implement the recommendations of the previous inquiry by the UN CRPD Committee in 2016, concluded that the Conservative Government had committed 'grave, systematic violations of the rights of person with disabilities'. Conference further notes: i) The House of Lords Select Committee on the Equality Act 2010 and Disability report of March 2016 made 55 recommendations for Government and other agencies, and concluded that Government and other agencies still regard deaf and disabled people as an afterthought, resulting in services (including transport, housing, access to the law, access to employment, physical access, training and work) that are not fit for purpose and do not give deaf and disabled people true independent living. ii) The United Kingdom Independent Mechanism (UKIM), covering all four of the UK Equality and Human Rights bodies, gave evidence to the UN in August 2017 that the government 'has failed to realise the rights of disabled people, especially in relation to social security reforms, resulting in grave and systematic violations of the right to an adequate standard of living, right to social protection, right to independent living and right to work'. iii) The UK Government has been repeatedly criticised for its treatment of people in secure mental health settings, including particular criticism over the use of violence and illicit use of taser guns on members of the African Caribbean community. iv) Evidence of the inappropriate and dishonest assessment processes for PIP continuing to show that the system is target-driven and designed to penalise deaf and disabled, despite Government reassurances that Capita, ATOS and Maximus were running a fair and independent service for the Department of Work and Pensions. Conference believes: a) That deaf and disabled people in the UK are entitled to rights, as set out in the UN CRPD, and that the Conservative Government's repeated refusal to act on the recommendations of the UN CRPD committee, the House of Lords Select Committee, the UKIM, and the extensive reports from Deaf and Disabled People's Organisations (DDPOs) is illegal and shameful. b) In a social model of disability, considering that people may have a condition or an impairment but are disabled by society, and we must therefore remove the barriers in society that limit deaf and disabled people's opportunities and choices. Conference resolves that a future Liberal Democrat government will incorporate the UN CRPD into UK law by strengthening the Equality Act in order to empower deaf and disabled people to confidently challenge all forms of discrimination and prejudice, and will ensure deaf and disabled people a strong voice at the heart of government, inviting them to sit on the cross-government committee 'nothing about you, without you'. Conference calls for: 1. Liberal Democrats across the UK to fight for the rights of deaf and disabled people in every sphere of their lives, and hold Governments and agencies to account. 2. The UK Government urgently to review its policies, to take immediate steps to remedy those highlighted by the UN and the Lords Select Committee report as failing, and to report back within 12 months. Applicability: Federal.